Collapsible tube



May 28, 1929. c. URQUHART COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Sept. 28', 1927Patented May 28 1929.

1,714,741 NT OFFICE.

ERNEST-C. URQUHART, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

COLLAIPSIBLE TUBE.

: Application filed September 28, 1927. Serial No. 222,439.

The inventionrelates to collapsible tubes arranged for the storage ofplastic material and having a body portion formed of pliant materialwhereby a squeezing together of the walls thereof may be utilized toeject the plastic material from the tube.

An object of the invention is to provide a tube of the class described,having a body portion formed as a unitary structure and entirely of anon-metallic material.

Another object of the invention is to provide for a tube of thecharacter described, a

removable closure cap providing an exten-.

sible but normally closed nozzle for effecting the discharge from thetube at a desired I point within a restricted space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tube of the characterdescribed which may be produced at a minimum cost both as to thematerials and labor.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the tube.

Figure 2 is'a mid-sectional view of the tube taken at right-angles tothat of Figure 1, the cap being turned ninety degrees. Figure 3 is aview of the tube taken from the same direction as is Figure 2 andshowing the nozzle of the cap for the tube operatively disposed.

1 Essentially, and as herewith particularly shown, the tube of myinvention comprises but two parts, a body portion 6 providing a cavity 7for the storage of a charge of plastic or paste-like material 8 such aspaint, glue, soap paste, toothpaste, or pharmaceutical preparations, anda screw cap 9 for effecting a closure of an outlet -for the cavity 7.The body 6 and cap 9 are both prefer-- ably formed of some non-metallicsubstance which provides a container having pliable Walls, various paperand fabric compositions having been found suitable and preferable forthe purpose as involving a minimum cost both as to the material and the,labor of forming the body, and permitting the use of the tube formaterials which chemically react 'with metals. As here shown, the bodyis formed with a tubular wall 12 having a transverse closure wall 13across one end thereof, such latter wall being provided with a dischargeopening 14 generally centrally thereof. The walls 12 and 13, it will benoted, are relativelythin and a collar 16 is preferably provided at theopen 1ng 14= to extend outwardly from the wall 13, such collar beingexternally threaded for the reception of the cap 9. The tube is arrangedto be primarily charged with the material 8 while the wall 12 is intubular form, after which the freeend thereof is flattened and foldedupon itself to form a seal thereat; suitable means such as wirefasteners 17 being utilized to secure the folded-over tube portion inplace. I

The cap 9 comprises a conically tapered tube provided with threads inthe larger end for mounting the cap on the collar 16 of the tube andproviding a nozzle 18 at its outer end. With the cap mounted on thetube, a squeezing of the latter will cause an extrusion of material 8from the tube cavity and through the cap bore for delivery at the tip ofthe nozzle 18, whereby when the nozzle passage is open, the materialfrom the tube may be delivered directly at points inaccessible to thematerial if delivered directly kinking the nozzle tip upon itself, whereit may be held byany desired means, as by the use of a flexible loop orrubber band 19 placed around the bent-back nozzle portion and theportion against which it is disposed. Preferably, and 'as shown,- acrease '21 is provided transversely across the nozzle for facilitatingthe bending back of the nozzle portion. It will thus be clear that thecap 9 not only provides a seal for the outletof the tube, but itselfprovides a nozzle for effecting a directed delivery of material from thetube. v

In order that the nozzle may have the necessary rigidity at its basewhere its bore is to be threaded for mounting on the collar 16, theapical angle of the boreis less than that of the outside of the nozzle,whereby the walls of the nozzle are thicker at the inner end thereof.

From the foregoing description taken in shown is merely illustrative,and that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall within thescope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters, 'Patent of the UnitedStates the following: 1. In combination with a collapsible tube,

a screw-cap of homogeneous material for an outlet thereof providing a taered nozzle having a discharge passage t erethrough, an end portion ofsaid nozzle being arranged to be doubled back against and held to anadjacent portion of the nozzle for sealing said passage.

2. As an article of manufacture, a collapsible tube formed as ahomogeneous unit of non-metallic material and provided with a dischargeoutlet, a cap formed as a homogeneous unit of non-metallic materialthreadedly mounted on said tube at said outlet and providing a conicallytapered nozzle having a wall of progresslvely decreasing thickness. andmeans operative to effect a sealing of the passage thereof, the saidmeans being an integral extension of the nozzle having relatively thinwalls.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

ERNEST C. URQUHART;

